If your home has older pipes that have sprung leaks, or if it is no longer up to code, you will have to call a Sacramento plumber . Not all plumbing problems are avoidable. Some issues, though, are preventable, and you can guard against them simply by familiarizing yourself with the mistakes that cause them. The three mistakes below often lead to plumbing emergencies:

Applying Excessive Force to Fixtures Plumbing fixtures are not indestructible—in fact, some are not even made from metal, but rather from shiny plastic designed to look like metal. Homeowners sometimes make the mistake of applying too much force to various fixtures: they may twist faucet or bathtub knobs extra hard in order to stop a drip, or hang heavy toiletry racks from shower heads. Treat your fixtures with respect and so that you don’t have to call an emergency plumber in the middle of the night.

Misusing the Garbage Disposal Despite their name, these household appliances cannot shred every bit of waste in your kitchen. Trash such as potato skins, asparagus stems, lemon peels, melon rinds, and other fibrous vegetable matter can become tangled in the blades, leading to a stalled disposal. When your disposal stalls, you can’t clear it simply with drain cleaning fluid—you need to call a plumber who can shut it off and remove the material that is clogging it.

Flushing Inappropriate Materials Your toilet has a very specific purpose: it is not a disposal device for any random household waste. Sometimes homeowners mistakenly think that they can flush kitchen grease down the toilet. But pouring grease into the toilet will cause a clogged drain line just as it would if you poured it down the kitchen sink drain, and you might also end up needing more costly toilet repairs.

If you do experience routine plumbing problems such as slow drains, or an emergency such as an overflowing toilet or a burst pipe, call Ace Plumbing (866) 999-4703 for timely, professional service throughout the Sacramento area.

Pipes, drains, water heaters, sewer lines, and septic tanks are all essential elements of plumbing in your Sacramento home. But there is one device that many homeowners think little about until it stops working: the sump pump. In fact, some homes are not even equipped with one at all. Read on to learn what a sump pump does and why it’s important to have one in your home.

Basic Sump Pump Function The purpose of a sump pump is to keep your home from flooding. Sump pumps should be installed by a qualified plumber in a basin in your basement. The basin should sit several feet below floor level. Water levels in the basin fluctuate with groundwater levels, and when the water reaches a certain height the pump will switch on to lower the water level before flooding can occur.

Types of Sump Pump Sump pumps can use one of two basic designs. The first is the submersible pump, which sits inside the basin and directly monitors the water level. The second is the pedestal pump, which is located next to the basic, and monitors water level via an attached sensor inside the basin. Generally, pedestal pumps will last longer than submersible pumps. Both should be serviced by a plumbing professional at least once a year.

Sump Pump Drainage The sump pump needs somewhere to send the excess water it drains from your home. Often, older homes have sump pumps that drain through the sewer line. This is not a good idea, however, as it can lead to a clogged drain and expensive professional drain cleaning bills, and even a sewage backup inside your home. Have a plumber re-route your sump pump drainage line into the storm sewers or other drainage ditches, not the municipal sewer line.

At Ace Plumbing of Sacramento , we offer complete sump pump service, including installation, service, and repair. To schedule an appointment with one of our certified, licensed plumbers, call (866) 999-4703 today.

If you are remodeling your kitchen and bathroom or upgrading your plumbing in Sacramento, you might want to think about getting new fixtures for your faucets. Modern fixtures use less water while still offering proper water pressure.

For tips on selecting fixtures, watch this video. You will hear sound advice from a professional plumber that will help you stay within your remodeling budget.

Ace Plumbing of Sacramento can install new fixtures for you. We also provide a full array of plumbing services , including toilet repair, hot water heater repair, trenchless sewer repair, and more. Call us at (866) 999-4703 to schedule an appointment today.